Fun in the sun with modern pool toys and slides
Gone are the days when backyard swimmers had to amuse themselves with noodles all summer or when the only thrill you got at the local swimming pool was jumping off the starting blocks.
Today you will find a new era of interactive aquatic toys and larger-than-life waterparks turning pools into sensory playgrounds with their captivating combination of fun and fitness.
Anthony Ramsay of Pool Systems says that with the variety of toys available nowadays, it is no wonder the pool is the place to be in summer.
“I remember when I was a kid, the toy options pretty much consisted of a pool pony and dive sticks. Pool toys have come a long way!,” says Ramsay.
He says ride-on toys remain the perennial favourite for residential pool owners because they accommodate both small and large children.
“Dive toys are really popular as they keep kids happily occupied for hours,” he says. “Also, anything with a squirter gun provides endless entertainment, laughter and good old-fashioned, clean wet fun.”
If you want your pool toys to last for more than one swimming season, Ramsay suggests checking that products are certified to Australian Standards.
“Our inflatables are cut out using sophisticated cutting machines to ensure consistent quality throughout our range,” he says. “All inflatables are double seam welded to provide long lasting products. Swimsportz also include wear pads in all high wear areas on the larger items.”
Slip sliding away
One of the perennial favourites in waterparks is the water slide. And it’s just as much fun when it’s in your own backyard.
Aqua Action offers a variety of residential water slides, designed to fit into most spaces, and all slides have a patented built-in water system allowing the rider to experience a waterpark style ride into their own pool.
“All of our water slides are designed and manufactured in the USA and are recognised as the safest and best residential pool slides available anywhere in the world today,” says Jeanette Moore.
These include the popular Wild Ride which provides lots of splash excitement in a choice of left or right turn and in a choice of blue, tan, white or grey.
“This slide can accommodate riders up to 113kg which lets the ‘big kids’ join in the fun as well,” says Moore.
Their top of the range is the 360-degree G-Force slide, and it also takes riders up to 113kg. The difference is the high power water supply system delivering a faster ride. It’s built for fun and safety with five large fully-moulded slip-resistant steps, child friendly easy-to-grip handrails and high flume sidewalls for added protection.
For the younger backyard adventurer, the Zoomerang water slide is kid-sized, and packed full of fun for riders up to 90kg, with a Zoom Flume water delivery system providing lots of rushing water.
Aqua Action also has the capacity to let you design your own slide, with an extended weight limit of up to 159kg and up to a length of 12 metres.
Moore says plenty of well known personalities have purchased their slides, including rugby league player Mark Geyer, Australian cricketers Michael Bevan and Shane Warne, and radio host Brendan Jones of WSFM.
This is an abridged section from an article in the October/November 2012 edition of the printed SPLASH! magazine.
